Plugged In: 10 Things to Know About Electric Grills

What began with an infomercial from former heavyweight champ George Foreman has evolved into full-size deluxe patio grills that can feed a whole family, all with nary a flame nor a fire extinguisher on premise.

"Electric" might not be the first word that pops into your mind when you hear "grill," but that could change after you learn a bit more. Read on – we think you'll get fired up about these hot little numbers.

4. Many condos and apartment buildings don't even allow charcoal or gas grills, so electric makes sense. According to popular discussion board BBQ Brethren (fear the pig!), www.bbq-brethren.com/forum several contributors recommended Weber or Meco brands for condo dwellers.

5. Even the large outdoor stand-up type electric grill still only requires a 120-volt outlet, and many of these provide cooking surfaces of over 330 inches and heat up to 650 degrees.

6. Safety is still an important consideration: be sure to place your grill several feet away from walls, especially wood siding or outdoor furniture. There may not be flames, but these grills can cause damage from their high heat.

7. Modern technology such as Char-Broil's infra-red heating ensures your food will sear just like with a super hot charcoal or propane grill surface. Temperatures can rise to 600 degrees in some models, with proper pre-heating.

8. Have you seen the latest models in electric grills? You'll find refreshingly stylish colors – like moss green and white – to complement your outdoor space. Because you know as well as we do that looks matter.

9. Controlling the heat is as simple as a turn of a knob rather than moving your food to a less blazing part of the grill surface, and this means evenly cooked food.

10. Consider accoutrements so you're not scrambling with sub-par kitchen tools. We definitely recommend the following: